08/11/2010
The people of the church of the Most Holy Mother of God in Mettingham, the newest purpose-built Orthodox church in our diocese, celebrated their patronal festival on Saturday, the 6th of November, being the 24th of October in the Church calendar and the feast of the icon of the Mother of God, "the Joy of All Who Sorrow".
Small Compline was served on the previous evening and the Divine Liturgy was served on the day by the Revd Priest Philip Steer from our sister Diocese of Sourozh, who travelled with his Matushka Philippa and a parishioner from his church in Walsingham. Friends from different parishes and jurisdictions were present for what was a beautiful celebration among friends and family in Christ at the church that is affectionately referred to as "Our Lady of Mettingham". Also serving was the Revd Deacon Andrew Bond, whose Matushka Mary, the foundress of the church, is ailing and was unable to be present. She was commemorated at the end of the Liturgy with the singing of a solemn Kyrie eleison.
A luncheon followed in a nearby church hall which had been graciously made available for the occasion.
